Ex-lawmaker lobbies for tax rollback

CEBU, Philippines — Former congressman Atty. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia is pushing for a rollback of taxes and fees imposed by the Cebu provincial government, saying the move would provide broader relief to taxpayers amid high prices.

Garcia is proposing a provincewide rollback of real property taxes, transfer taxes, and sand and gravel fees.

He described the measure as “ayuda nga walay pili, ayuda nga dili linyahan” or assistance that would not be limited to selected beneficiaries.

In a sit-down interview posted on his personal blog, Garcia said lowering taxes would provide more widespread relief than assistance distributed to selected individuals or sectors.

“Inflation is still high, prices are still high, and every family in Cebu feels it. And yet here we are, so caught up in the impeachment of the vice president, when the statistics are staring us right in the face,” Garcia said.

He cited inflation figures showing Cebu’s rate at 12.4 percent, down from 13.6 percent in May.

Cebu City’s inflation rate stood at 13.7 percent, lower than the previous 16.1 percent, according to figures he cited.

“These are still painful numbers. The price of rice is steep. Fuel keeps getting pricier. These are the things that truly affect ordinary families every single day,” he said.

Garcia also questioned the reported plan of the provincial government to grant Apo Cement a P1 billion tax discount, saying similar relief should be extended to other taxpayers.

“If we can give a billion in tax relief to a single corporation, then we should be rolling back tax rates for all Cebuanos,” he said.

He proposed bringing real property tax rates back to pre-pandemic levels, arguing that lower taxes could leave households with more money for food, fuel, and other expenses.

Garcia also cited sand and gravel fees, saying lower charges could reduce construction costs for both businesses and families building or repairing homes.

He maintained that the proposed rollback should not simply be viewed as lost government revenue but as money that could circulate in the local economy.

“Mao ni ang akong i-lobby kay kini ang ayuda nga dili mamili ug dili kinahanglan linyahan, pero makatabang sa kadaghanan,” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)